Method and apparatus for manufacturing pottery ware



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \n/ /'///a77 2 M/Wck v (Ittorng May 14, 1940. w J MILLER 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE Original Filed Feb. 9, 1935 y 14, 1940- w. J. MILLER I METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING POTTERY WARE Original Filed Feb. 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lhwentor (Ittorneg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANU- FACTURING POTTERY WARE William J. Miller, Swissvale, Pa.

Original application February 9., 1935, Serial No. 5,795. Divided and this application July 20, 1935, Serial No. 32,391 d 25 Claims. (Cl. 25-22) This invention relates to methods and appara- Fig. 10 is a detail in perspective of a modified tus for the manufacture of pottery ware such as form of charge segregating apparatus and Fig. cups, saucers, plates and the like known in the 11, a motion diagram of the cutting wire stroke. art as "dinnerware, from plastic adhesive clay Fig. 12 is an end view of the feeder belt and as used in manual jiggering on a potters wheel. concave supporting guide. 5 It has to do with new and improved methods of Fig. 13 is a fragmentary detail of the feeder felt ware production and improved high speed autolubricating means. matic ware fabricating apparatus which may be According to the general system of my applidisposed inoperative adjacency to a source of cation supra, ware is fabricated progressively in mold supply or storage such as a stoove room, or on absorbent molds, the operations of form- 10 dryer, etc. v 'ing and feeding charges, spreading the charge This application is a division of my co-pending over the mold surface; adhesively bonding the application for United 'States Letters Patent, clay to the mold, jiggering and trimming, all Serial Number 5,795, filed February 9, 1935 and performed mechanically on automatic machin- 15 relates particularly to methods and apparatus cry. The molds are preferably transported man- 15 for production and transfer of clay charges in ually from a dryer and placed on a conveyor from the automatic manufacture of dinnerware. which each is subsequently removed and auto- The objects as may also be noted in my British matically fed first to the charge applying means Patent 471,589 are to provide new and improved and thereafter to a succession of fabricating staautomatic ware fabricating methods and means tions for procedural steps leading to the comple- 20 which will displace the batter out in the nortion of the article undergoing production after mal jigger crew; to automatically form and apwhich it is removed to a dryer.

ply charges to molds; to automatically convey The preferred apparatus, Fig. 1 comprises genthe molds to the charging means and present the erally, a frame I having a three-point support on same for the application of charges thereto in wheels 2, to avoid torsional stresses, one of which 25 timed relation with the production of charges, to at 3 is swivelled to facilitate directional travel manufacture superior quality ware free from and plac m adjacent a d ye T e rame dirt, specks anddrying cracks in the display sursupports drive motor I, a pair of elongated mold faces thereof; to improve methods and apparatus conveyors A and B respectively; a charge forming for the forming and feeding of charges to the and feeding means C; amold transferDfor auto- 30 mold. Briefly, the apparatus consists of a commatically feeding empty molds from conveyor A bined clay feeder and segregating means operatto position F for charging; another transfer E ing in timed relation with each other and with progresses charged molds to and through the die a means for presenting molds for charging, the forming station G; profiling and trimming stacharges being segregated and gravitated directly tion H and onto conveyor B, both of said trans- 35 into or on a mold, provisions being had for refers operating in" timed relation with each other ducing the tendency of the cutting wire to "seal and with conveyors A and B; the apparatus also the cut as well as provisions for wiping and dryincluding crossheads 46a and mounting chucks 8 ing the wire and insuring the clean positive reand 45a for elevating the molds to operating posilease thereof from the clay. tion. Themachine operates in repeated cycles 40 In the drawings: and upon completion of each cycle a finished Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred form piece of ware in or on its mold is transferred to of fabricating machine. conveyor B, the molds accumulating thereon Fig. 2 is a side elevation partlyin section thereagainst the time when the operator will remove of with certain of the parts broken away. the same to the dryer. 45

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of a clay feeder Normally, the operator places a billet of clay S belt and'drive therefor. i on feeder belt 9 and manually advances it to Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of one of the correct cutting position and then loads the belt feeder belt clutch devices. 4 to capacity with reserve billets, welding the ends Fig. 5 is an elevation of the charge segregating together as in Fig. 13. He then loads empty 50 means and associated charge transfer. molds on conveyor A to capacity and clutches 1:

Figs, 6, '7, 8 and 9 disclose various methods and the drive through lever 3b and clutch 3a, wheremeans of segregating and assisting and/or diupon empty molds are automatically transferred recting the automatic placement of charges on in consecutive order to and through stations F,

the molds. G and H, the operator continuing to place empty 56 molds on conveyor A until filled molds appear on conveyor B, in sumcient numbers to require, in the operator's judgment, removal.

When conveyor A moves left a predetermined distance, the brim of the lead mold M is centered automatically on frame 4 of transfer D. The frame 4 is shifted to left, Fig. 1 by cam 5 on drive shaft 6 driven by motor I through parallel levers I to automatically transfer a mold from conveyor A to centered position over ring chuck 8. The chuck is then elevated through double cam 46, crosshead 46a, and engages the mold through, the open bottom of frame 4, elevating it to charging position adjacent the lead end of feeder belt 9 (see dotted lines, Fig, 2) whilst frame 4 is returned to its initial position.

Meanwhile, the convex lead end of cylindrical clay'billet S has been progressed by intermittently operated belt 9 into a charge seat Illa, Fig. 5 in pivoted transfermemberl0, locked in substantially vertical position by a spring retained dog I I, the extent of billet advance determining the thickness and bulk of the charge. Springs 20 lightly engaging the billet periphery insure charge retention during transfer.

The preferred billet form is that of a relatively large diameter elongate cylinder having mitered ends, Fig. 13, which represents a maximum volume for a minimum peripheral surface area. By severing slices from the lead end of the slug, a disc like charge is produced, having a maximum area of clean clay and a minimum, exposed area (in the periphery) of contamination. This contamination is principally in the form of microscopic iron particles that are detached from the surfaces of the knives, screw and pug nozzle by the highly abrasive action of the clay and are normally deposited in the billet skin. If this skin is laid against the mold face or if the clay is masticated during charge formation, the particles are scattered throughout the ware and upo firing become visible as off color specks in the display surfaces. My improved method confines contamination to the ware brim zone, generally removed by the trimmer 'or at least covered by decorations.

A clay slice of measured thickness is then severed on the bias in overbalanced position by adjustable cutting wire [2 which may be heated, dried or wiped of adhering clay as hereinafter described, to reduce its out sealing characteristics and insure free drop of the slice. The wire is preferably oscillated in a predetermined substantially rectilinear path (see diagram. Fig. 11) by frame l3 having a shifting pivot in elongated bearings l2a attached to feeder frame l4,

- and connected to an actuating crank l6, Fig. 2,

by elastic members l8. This crank is operated in unison with crosshead 46a, the position and extent of reciprocation being determined by the adjustment of nuts |5 on connecting rod l1.

When pin 19, Fig. 5, is depressed at the end of cutter frame stroke, pawl II is disengaged wire from 41 to 12 (see Fig. 11) and away from the billet end to avoid contact with the end of the billet and consequent clay accumulation on the wire upon rise from b to c and horizontal travel from c to d, to initial position. As frame I3 rises, spring 20c returns dog II to latched position and elevates trip pin it.

In the modification of Fig. 10, the cutter frame B11 is pivoted on an eccentric sleeve [3b oscillated by rod H to alternately move abutment [30 into frame elevating or lowering engagement with adjustable screws 13f causing the cutting wire to traverse the arcuate path from d to a and b to c, Fig. 11. At the termination of the downstroke or upstroke, the frame is held against rotation by friction drag lag whilst the abutment I30 travels between screws l3), and the frame is moved radially shifting the wire from a to b or c to (1 according to the position of the frame. The sides of the motion parallelogram of Fig. 11 may be varied by screws [3f to increase or decrease the horizontal and vertical travel of the wire. The wire may be additionally adjusted relative to the platen by movable mounting members l3h, Fig. 10, notched at I ii. In Fig. 5, the mounting members I31 tension the wire which is of predetermined length and solder tipped for quick mounting and interchange in notches. In Fig. 10, the wire may be continuously or intermittently electrically heated according to the type of ring contact I37 employed, to dry the same after adhering clay is removed by stationary canvas wiper ilk. Hot air may also be directed against the wire by nozzle ill.

It is quite important that the wire be devoid of adhering clay lest this sticky accumulation close the cut during severing, usually by creating a vacuum behind the wire which tends to reseal the cut and prevent free fall of the slice, the aforesaid methods relieving the operator of constant observation.

By severing charges on the center of a crowned roller 21 as in Fig. 3 and in overbalanced position directly against the belt, the slice may be guided directly onto the mold according to the dotted line disclosure of Fig; 9 with the farther rim portion of the slice face first engaging the mold. In Figure '7, the arcuate surface of stationary platen 2la, which may be lubricated, guides the fall of the slice. The slice may also be severed on a rotatable platen 2"), Fig. 6, to insure reliable gravitation.

The feeder frame is vertically and adjustably supported at the rear end thereof, the forward I end being also adjustably supported by stud 22. Fig. 3 seated on screw 25, and positioned horizontally by radial screws 24, in cup 23. attached change of position during drop to mold. These belts are mounted on spaced, adjustable idle rollers 90,. having slightly concave surfaces to avoid slug distortion and are supported between rollers by slightly concave metal troughs 9. Belt lubrication is by spring pressed graphite blocks 9f mounted in feeder frame, Fig. 13.

When rod 30, Fig. 3, resting against stops 29,- is released by initial movement to right of crank ill) 3| to right and drags belt 9 until rod 99 engages adjustable rods top 36. This adjustment determinesthe length of billet advance and the thickness of the slice next to be severed. The tension in spring 3| is adjusted through threaded engagement of tube 49 with latch 4|. To avoid parting of the billets at the weld, belt 9a is driven in unison with 9 by auxiliary roller clutch having frame ii'l, Fig. 4, connected to .od 93 and having elongated taper slots 38a in each terminal 38 with loose fitting necked roller 39 for binding the belt against web39a when shifted to right. This also permits the free forward travel of belt 9a either manually or 'by gravity to abut succeeding billets. Feeding may be discontinued by releasing the latch 4!, Fig. 3, and the billet advanced manually to correct position by reciprocating the tube 40. Both clutches are idly retracted upon engagement of rod by crank l6 thus tensioning" spring I for succeeding advance of belt.

After the mold is charged at F and lowered onto the end seat 42 of transfer E, the transfer is shifted to right, Figs. 1 and 2, by levers 43, and cam 44 on the shaft 6 to advance the mold to the blank forming station G. The transfer may be quickly adjusted to accommodate molds of other size by removing the dowelled bars 42a and substituting bars having mold seat portions of correct size.- Chuck 45a on stand 45 is then elevated by peak cams 46 and crosshead 46a, lifting the mold into co-operation with a stationary die 41, which engages, progressively spreads and adhesively bonds the clay to the mold. The chargepreferably is in the form of a disc and lies in centered or approximately centered position on the mold covering only a portion of the ware forming surface; upon engagement wtih the die, the material is spread radially and evenly until the ware surface is completely covered, the contaminated slice brim flowing to the mold brim and subsequently being ;trimmed or cracking off during drying.

After the clay is applied to the mold and adhesively bonded thereto, the mold is advanced .by transfer 42 to the profile station H, .where it is rotated through belt and pulley l9 and 14 in engagement with the tool whilst fluid is applied, thereby removing excess material from and smoothing and finishing thes'urface of the clay, whilst the mold is rotated, a trimming tool 86 trims thebrim and upon termination of the profiling operation the mold is returned to conveyor E which shifts to the right and loads the mold onto conveyor B, operating in timed relaremoving molds therefrom, means for operating said last named means in timed relation with said segregating means and said billet progressing means whereby molds are moved in succession into adjacency to said point of charge segregation and charges formed in succession and dropped onto said molds said charges being of substantially disc-like proportions of smaller diameter than the diameter of the ware forming surface of the aforesaid molds.

2. In apparatus for the manufacture of dinnerware upon absorbent molds, a mold support and mold, means for feeding billets of clay from which mold charges are segregated superimposed relative thereto, means for locating the discharge end of the feeding means relative to the support, means for segregating charges, said charges being of substantially circular proportions and of smaller diameter than the diameter of the ware forming surface of the mold and means for varying the size of the charge segregated from the billet.

3. In apparatus for the manufacture of dinnerware on absorbent molds,'a mold support and mold, means for feeding billets of clayfrom which mold charges are segregated superimposed relative thereto. means for locating the feeding means relative to the support and mold, means for segregating clay bodies of substantially disclike proportions and of smaller diameter than the diameter of the molding surface of the mold and including means for predetermining the path of travel of the segregating means.

4. In apparatus for the manufacture of dinnerware on absorbent molds, a mold support and a mold, means for feeding billets of clay from which mold charges are segregated superimposed relative thereto, means for adjusting the discharge end of the feeding means toward and away from the mold support and mold, means for adjusting the feeding means heightwise as respects the mold support and mold, segregating means and means for varying the size of the charge.

5. In apparatus for the manufacture of dinnerware on absorbent molds, the combination which comprises a movable moldsupport, means for depositing molds on and removing molds from said support, a clay feeder superimposed relative to said support, means for adiusting the discharge end of the feeder relative .to the axis of the mold support and means for slicing disclike bodies of clay of smaller diameter than the diameter of the molding surface of the molds, thereby characterized that the clay segregating means segregates charges in elevated position relative to the mold support and the clay thus segregated is permitted to freely dropiontp the surface of a mold resting on said mold support.

6. In a clay feeder, a frame, a belt on which clay billets are deposited, a cutter, means for actuating said cutter to segregate slices of clay from said billet, a charge transfer arranged to receive the segregated slice 10f clay and carry 'saidslice to centered position over a mold, means arranged to be engaged by the transfer to limit the,,downward movement thereof and a locking means arranged to normally hold the transfer in raised position adjacent the end of the billet.

7. In af-clay feeder, a frame, a belt on which clay billets are deposited, means for actuating said belt, a cutter, means for actuating said cutter tosegregate slices of clay from said billet, a charge transfer arranged to receive slices of clay and carry-the same to centered position over a mold, a bumper arranged to be engaged by the transfer to limit the downward movement thereof, a counterbalance for returning the transfer to raised position adjacent the end of the billet.

8. In a clay feeder, a frame, a belt on which clay billets are deposited, means for actuating said belt, a charge segregating means, means for actuating said segregating means to sever slices of clay from said billet, a charge transfer device mounted in front of said belt arranged to transfer clay slices to empty molds, a lock for holding said transfer in elevated position, means actuated by said charge segregating device for releasing said lock and a spring for returning said transfer to raised position.

9. In a clay feeder, a feeder belt having an .upper run inclined to the horizontal arranged to receive elongated billets of clay from which slices are severed, a cutter located adjacent the lower end of said belt and arranged to segregate slices of clay from the end of said billet in overbalanced position and a support arranged adja-' cent the lead end of said belt to direct the fall of the aforesaid slices.

10. In a clay feeder, means for supporting and advancing billets of clay from'which slices are segregated, a cutter mounted adjacent the feeding and supporting means and arranged to segregate clay slices from the said billets in overbalanced position, a surface on which said slices rest when each is segregated said surface being contoured or positioned to direct the fall of the slice outwardly and away from the billet.

11. In combination with a mold support and a mold, a clay feeder arranged in elevated position relative thereto having a belt for receiving clay billets from which slices each representing a mold charge are segregated, a cutter located adjacent one end of said belt and arranged to segregate substantially symmetrical slices of clay in overbalanced position each slice dropping to the surface of a mold by gravity, a support located ahead of the belt on which the slice rests incident to segregation and about which it pivots as it commences to fall toward the mold and means for adjusting the feeder heightwise relative to the mold to vary the length of drop of the slice.

12. In combination with a mold support and a mold, a clay feeder arranged in elevated position relative thereto having a belt for receiving clay billets, means for actuating said belt, a cutter arranged adjacent the lead end of, the belt for v segregating slices of clay in overbalanced position which drop to the molding surface 'of the mold by gravity, means for moving the cutter end of the feeder vertically relative to the mold support thereby characterized that the distance between the end of the feeder belt and the mold support can be increased or decreased to 'obtain the proper height from which a slice of given weight and diameter should fall so as to drop against the mold and flatten thereon without folding over or striking on its rim.

13. In combination with a mold support, a' clay feeder arranged in elevated position relative thereto on which clay billets are supported in inclined position, a cutter located adjacent the 1 from the lead end of the billet'at the termination of the cutting stroke and means for actuating said feeder to feed the billet lengthwise to said cutter and means for retracting the cutter.

14. In a clay feeder, a belt for receiving and supporting clay billets from which clay slices are segregated, a cutter arranged adjacent one end of said belt and adapted to segregate clay slices in overbalanced position which fall from the end of the feeder, means for shifting the cutter forward at the termination of the cutting stroke and away from the end of the billet and means for actuating said feeder belt thereby characterized that when the slice of clay is segregated it falls from the feeder clearing the zone into which the cutter is shifted said cutter being shifted to avoid interference with the billet when said cutter is raised preparatory to making the next cutting stroke.

15. In combination with a mold, means for charging said mold with clay which comprises a belt on which is located a billet of clay from which slices are severed in overbalanced position for a free drop to the surface of the mold, a cutter arranged to segregate the slices, a support on which the slices are severed and about which the slices pivot in falling toward the mold and means for treating the cutter to preclude sealing of the cut as the slice is segregated.

16. In apparatus for charging molds in the manufacture of potteryware, the combination which comprises a moveable support adapted to receive billets of clay, means for progressing said billets toward a point of charge segregation, means for segregating charges from said billets, said charges being gravitated directly upon segregation onto said molds and means for predeterminingthe gravitational path of said charges.

17. In apparatus for charging molds with clay in the manufacture of potteryware, means for feeding billets of normally adhesive and moist clay to a point of charge segregation, a charge segregating means associated with said feeder and having a cutting member arranged to pass through and sever bodies of clay from said billets and means for removing the accumulated clay residue which collects on the cutter to thereby prevent resealing of the cut.

18. In an apparatus for preparing clay charges for applications to molds in the manufacture of pottery, the combination which comprises means on which billets of clay are deposited and progressed toward a point of charge segregation, means for segregating clay charges from said billets, means in which the charge is severed for carrying the charges thus severed to the mold and means for causing the carrying means to release the charge of clay.

19. In a clay feeder, means for receiving and supporting clay billets from which clay slices are segregated, a cutter arranged adjacent one end of said means and means for causing said cutter to shift forward and away from said billet at the termination of a segregating stroke and to be elevated relative to said billet prior to the next succeeding advance of said billet.

20. A method of feeding clay to molds which comprises, segregating a disc-like slice of clay of smaller diameter than the molding surface of the mold from a billet arrangedin superimposed position relative to a pro-positioned mold, gravitating the charge of clay onto the molding surface of the mold and locating the charge in substantially centered position on the mold by predetermining and controlling the path of gravitation of the charge.

21. In apparatus for charging molds with plastic material in-the manufacture of potteryware, the combination which comprises, a mold carrier having molds disposed thereon and arranged by the movement of the carrier to be brought into a charging position, means arranged to receive plastic material and progress the same toward a point of charge segregation, said means including abelt adapted to receive and support the plastic material upon an upper run thereof and a belt grapple engaging the belt in another zone for advancing the said belt together with means for actuating said grapple.

22. m apparatus for charging molds in the manufacture of potteryware, the combination whichcomprises means for receiving and progrossing billets of clay toward a point of charge segregation, means for segregating charges from said billets, said charges being gravitated directly upon segregation onto said molds, said means for receiving and progressing billets of clay comprising a belt, a reciprocal grapple for moving said belt and means for varying the extent of reciprocation of said belt grapple to thereby vary the progress of the billet toward a point of charge segregation.

23. in apparatus for charging molds with plastic material in the manufacture of pottery, the combination which comprises, a mold carrier having molds disposed thereon and arranged by the movement of the carrier to be brought into a charging position, means for receiving billets of plastic material, means for progressing the same toward a point of charge segregation, means for segregating said plastic material comprising a cutting instrumentality and means for preventing rescaling of the cut.

24. In the manufacture of dinnerware on absorbent molds, the method of feeding which comprises, segregating substantially disc-like clay charges of smaller diameter than the molding surface of a mold from a cylindrical clay superimposed with relation to adapted to receive the aforesaid charge a mold and concurrently with the segregation of the charge causing it to fall freely by gravity into centered Position on the mold.

25. In the manufacture of dinnerware on absorbent molds, the method w ch comprises, advancing a column of clay toward a point of charge segregation, passing a segregating means through the clay in a. direction perpendicular to the long axis thereof, permitting the clay thus segregated to gravitate onto the ware forming surface of a mold, moving the segregating means in a direction substantially parallel with the direction of advance of the column of clay and then returning the segregating means to initial position for a succeeding segregating stroke,

billet of 1 

